Electric permutation locks



" Nov. 12, 1968 H.T. JACKSON ELECTRIC PERMUTATION LOCKS '1-'i1ed JuZLy1.5. 1965 n r, JACKSON mvswrox United States Patent 3,411,152 ELECTRIC PERMUTATION LOCKS H. T. Jackson, Denisou, Tex., assignor of one-half to Don H. Daniel, Bellaire, Tex. Filed June 15, 1965, Ser. No. 472,165 18 Claims. (Cl. 340-274) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE It is the concept of this invention that each phase of vital home protection and convenience as related to electric permutation locks, fire alarms, intruder protection and community alert be objectively utilized, intermeshed, exploited and combined so as to create the greatest complementary aspects toward the perfection and efiiciency of the whole.

The invention described herein is a device for improving the security, safety, convenience and efi'iciency of the home, ofiice or institution. More specifically, the invention is a versatile electric pushbutton combination lock and alerting system.

ADVANTAGES Previous attempts at electric permutation locks have not provided adequate or practical intruder protection for homes, nor have they utilized the inherent characteristics of an electric permutation lock system to provide other features that are vital to home security.

The invention described herein is a device that has a scope and efliciency far exceeding previous concepts in this direction and thus the invention assures a higher degree of home protection at a lower cost than has heretofore been available. The invention utilizes a far more efficient, economical and practical means of combination screening than prior systems, especially in regard to home use, and further utilizes the inherent characteristics of an electric lock system to incorporate a system that provides at negligible or no extra cost two alternate warning signal inputs for providing warnings against imminent community dangers such as enemy attack and tornadoes. The invention also incorporates means for eificiently providing protection against the danger of fire and smoke to human life and property. The invention further takes advantage of the potentiality that is inherent in and common to each intrafunctional system to efliciently pro vide an economical means of protection against burglary.

OBJECTS It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved electric permutation lock system having a large number of possible combinations, the numbers in a combination being sequential, repetitive, simultaneous, increasing, decreasing or any combination of these features, the system including simple connector means whereby the combination may be changed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric permutation lock system operable by means of pushbuttons which provides an alert signal when certain wrong buttons are pressed or when the system is triggered by associated burglar or fire alarm signals. The pushbuttons are noiseless to preclude the possibility of using switching sounds for cracking the combination.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric permutation (lock system which incorporates alarm means responsive to community danger warning signals, and which is sensitive to thermostatic switches for fire protection.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric permutation lock system which may be used in conjunction with and as a complement to conventional locks 3,411,152 Patented Nov. 12, 1968 and which may be used to control one or more doors, windows, or the like.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a lock system having the safety and information control feature of being incapable of being activated until all selected doors and windows in the system are shut.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electric permutation lock system which is capable of either AC or DC operation and which may be controlled from various remote control points by means of lockunlock controls and pilot lights.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric permutation lock system which may be controlled either by pushbuttons or by a timer mechanism which disables all other lock-unlock controls.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric permutation lock system having a plurality of functions, the system automatically self-disabling each function after that function has been performed.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an electric permutation lock system having an emergency manual unlock inside the building being protected and a remote emergency unlock and an emergency power supply on the outside of the building.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric permutation lock system which provides a visual indication of the source and nature of an alerting signal, the signal remaining on until a door is unlocked or until a reset button is pressed.

Further objects and features of the invention will best be understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 is schematic representation of a system in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates means for selecting combinations.

OPERATION Combination sequence screening Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, four octal sockets 1d, 2d, 3d and 4e are shown. This number can vary either upward or downward. Combination screening is achieved by manipulating the Input Plug (A), Output Plug (B), Jump From Plug (C), Jump To Plug (D), and the Regular Plug (E). All plugs except the Regular Plug can be inserted in only one position. The Regular Plug can be inserted in the octal sockets in a second position as shown by E depending on its specific function as further explained under the heading of SELECTING A COMBINATION. But let us now consider a step by step analysis of the events that happen as a result of operation of the pushbuttons and how these events are controlled by the various plugs.

With a door or window locking bolt 30 in lock position, sliding contact switch 32 is closed and voltage E, as determined by the power supplied at terminal 24, is made available through switches 29 and 15 to all socket pin 4 terminals. The insertion of the Input Plug (A) in any socket causes a voltage to appear on pin 1 of that particular socket. Let us suppose that the selected socket is number 1d. The closing of associated pushbutton switch 1b causes current to flow in relay coil 1a which in turn is locked in by the closing of upper contacts 1 The voltage is now advanced to pin 2 of socket 2d through lower contacts 1e. In this way and as determined by various plug combinations the unlock voltage advances to the next relay in the selected sequence and toward the transferred through pin 2 to terminal 43 and from there to conditional unlock switch 40 which constitutes the last digit in the combination. When switch 40 is closed, the unlock voltage advances to the normally closed disable switch 39 and then to the Solenoid and Switching Assembly where it unlocks the bolt assembly 42. If at any time a button not included in the selected sequence is pressed, the voltage from the pin 4 terminals is placed on all socket pin 3 terminals. This voltage energizes solenoid 9 to move armature 13 which, in turn, closes switch 12 to energize relay 7 and trip the alert circuitry, as described under the subheading of Solenoid and Switching Assembly. Contact switch 15 also opens momentarily and resets the pushbuttons by releasing the hold contacts (e.g., 1f) of the relay coil. Only the selected sequence in the selected pushbuttons will unlock the mechanism without setting off the alarm.

Octal socket stage 4 has two modes of operation. It may be operated in exactly the same way as the first three octal socket stages or, by means of resistor 4d, the stage can be made to simultaneously function as a combination screening stage and a voltage sensitive stage whereby a significant one-second duration rise in supply voltage causes the relay to activate and remain activated until normal voltage to the coil 4a is removed by any means. The value of the resistor is so chosen so that the normal voltage to the coil is insufficient to cause activation of the relay. The resistor allows suflicient current to hold the relay activated after it has first been activated. Any significant pulse to the relay coil 4a would activate the relay and normally trip an alarm circuit. Such a voltage-sensitive arrangement may be used to respond to voltage pulses sent out over commercial power lines to act as a community alarm, or may be used to respond to burglar or fire detectors.

To use the stage simultaneously as a voltage sensitive trip circuit in addition to its regular combination screening function a B (Output) or C (Jump From) Plug must be inserted into socket 4e. Resistor 4d must also be connected by means of its connector. If the voltage sensitivity function is not to be utilized, the relay should, but not necessarily, be operated in the same mode as the other combination relays, that is with resistor 4d disconnected.

All outside pushbuttons 4b not otherwise employed are connected from the lower end of relay coil 4a to ground so that the closing of any of these pushbuttons will trip the alarm 27.

Main and auxiliary control points Manual operation of the device is provided by manual lock and unlock switches 18 and 26 placed at appropriate locations within a building or home. A manual bolt control 34 that is independent of electricity is also pro: vided at an inside location. Unlock switch 26 is normally inaccessible for outside use and is for emergency purposes. An emergency power connection at 23 is made available for outside use. The instrument may be disabled manually by a control switch 39 so that it cannot be locked or unlocked from the outside.

Automatic operation of the device is provided by a timer mechanism 21. When operated by the timer to lock and unlock at preselected times, the device is under the sole and complete control of the timer and cannot be operated in any other way. To conserve power to the timer a switch 22 is provided that makes the bolt assembly either normally locked or normally unlocked when under timer control by energizing or de-energizing solenoids 10 and 11. In order to move the bolt assembly 42 by any means the timer control 22 must first be turned off from the inside.

The burglar alarm trip switch 19 and the fire alarm thermal switch 20 complete circuits through octal socket 4e which trigger the same chain of events as a pressed wrong button and a voltage E is made available through contacts 7a as explained below to turn on an alerting signal such as a porch light, radio etc. as previously explained.

The lock 11 and unlock 10 solenoids are capable of being controlled by push buttons, the manual operating buttons on the inside and outside and by the timer. Disablement of the lock solenoid is provided by a switch 35, 36 placed on each respective door in such a way so as to close only when the door is closed and in the correct locking position as required. The switches on each door provide another function in that they make it possible to ascertain at any control point whether or not all doors within the system are open, closed, or locked.

Solenoid and switching assembly It should be noted that the main lock solenoid 11, unlock solenoid 10 are self-disabling, i.e., after each does its job it automatically cuts itself oil by its associated respective sliding contact switch 31, 32. It not only cuts itself off and on as required, but it cuts off and on its respective auxiliary counterpart lock 37 or unlock 38 solenoid in other doors within the system and makes other voltages available as required. A sliding contact switch 32 removes all voltages from all systems except the timer and lock switches when the bolt is in unlock position.

The switching solenoid 9, with its associated biasing weight return 14 and sliding contact switches 12, 15 performs two important functions. First, through sliding contact 15, it controls the voltage to the screening relays. Any error or alert signal from any source causes the switching relay 9 to be energized through octal socket pins 3 to move the solenoid armature 13. Inertia that arises as a result of the weight 14 that is built into the device allows contact switch 15 to overshoot its opening point by a margin large enough to provide a break in the voltage sup ply to the screening relays that is sufficiently long to allow the screening relays to reset. By this means the switching solenoid cuts off its own voltage supply and the voltage that it normally provides for the rest of the system. The voltage that caused the switching solenoid to be energized is now removed due to the reset action and switch 15 is then pulled by its associated weight to its normally closed position. The second important function of the switching solenoid is to provide a voltage that energizes relay 7 and enables that relay to be isolated from its activating source and lock itself on its lock in voltage supply and to perform its duty as explained below until it is finally released from normal duty either automatically as the door is unlocked or when the reset button 29 is pressed.

The function of relay 7 is to make available a chosen output voltage at E through contacts 7a and to keep this voltage available until the relay is released in the manner stated above. The voltage is available for any use that might be appropriate in any situation.

Electromagnetically operated indicator buttons 25, 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d are placed in each strip circuit. Each indicator button is activated as its respective circuit is actuated. The button is moved to its activated position. A visual check of the position of each button indicates the source and nature of the alerting signal so that immediate action can be taken. These buttons can then be reset to their nonactivated position.

The disable switch 39 makes it possible to lock and unlock the device from the inside only. The switch provides assurance that the device cannot be unlocked from the outside. The switch also provides assurance that an operator of the device cannot accidentally lock himself out. Indicator lights such as that illustrated at 28 may be located at each control point to be illuminated when the doors are in locked condition.

SELECTING A COMBINATION Selecting a combination sequence is accomplished by manipulating the five types of plugs so as to form an unbroken chain from the Input Plug (A) to the Output Plug (B). The circuit represented by this chain is made progressively complete as each successive relay contact in the chain closes. The chain lengths must consist of the selected combination sequence and must not be connected to the trip circuit. All plugs except the Regular Plugs (E) can be inserted in only one position. The Regular Plug (E) can be inserted in another position (E') according to its specific purpose as described below.

The simplest chain would consist of the Input Plug (A) and the Output Plug (B) inserted respectively in sockets of consecutive and increasing numerical order. This will form a one number combination. The next simplest chain would be Input Plug (A) followed in successive numerical order by one or more Regular Plugs (E) followed by the Output Plug (B). The Jump From (C) and Jump To (D) Plugs make it possible to jump over relays either forward or backward. Note that the combination relays form a continuous ring.

The Input Plug (A) location is always the first relay used in the sequence. The Output Plug (B) location minus 1 is always the last relay used in the selected sequence. The intermediate relay(s) is determined by Regular Plug(s) in (E) position or, if a relay is to be jumped, by the Jump From (C) and Jump To (D) Plugs. Relays jumped over or otherwise not included in the combination always use a Regular Plug in (E') position. The relay numbers themselves may or may not constitute the actual combination and likely will not. The reason for this is that there is provided an alternate and complementary means of changing the combination. This means is provided by connectors in each pushbutton lead used for outside control regardless of function. The outside pushbuttons may be arranged as indicated at 41 and are all identical in appearance. The connectors make it possible to obtain a new combination simply by juggling and intermingling the multifunction outside pushbuttons as required for any combination. If it is desired to use the same pushbutton two or more times in a combination sequence (for example 4-14) simply attach the first and last lengths of the chain heretofore described to pushbutt-on 4b. Connect the middle length to pus'hbutton 1b. A simultaneous operation requirement whereby the pressing of two or more selected pushbuttons constitute a step in the unlock sequence is provided by connecting the desired switches in series.

The following simple rules always apply to the various plugs and the relay contacts that are connected to them.

Input Plug (A)First relay in sequence (must press) Jump From Plug (C)Not a relay in sequence (must not press) Jump To Plug (D)Relay in the sequence (must press) Regular Plug (E) (E')-If in sequence use (E) (must press) Output Plug (B)-Last relay in seq. plus 1 (must not press) Thus there has been provided a home protection system which provides the maximum security, safety and convenience combined with a minimum of cost. The system is versatile, providing many diiferent functions, yet is simple to operate and is reliable. The scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment disclosed, but includes the various alternatives and modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an electric permutation lock system, a plurality of combination-selecting stages, each stage including socket means having a plurality of pins, a source of voltage connected to a first one of said pins, switch means and relay coil means connected in series between a second one of said pins and ground, and alarm signal means connected to a third one of said pins, first and second relay contacts associated with and operable upon energization of said relay coil means, said first relay contacts holding said coil in an energized condition, and said second relay contacts connecting said second one of said pins of each stage to a fourth one of said pins in a succeeding stage, whereby closure of the switch means associated with each of said stages in proper sequence will operate said lock system, and plug means for each of said socket means for connecting together selected pins in each of said socket means to establish the desired sequence of operation.

2. The lock system of claim 1, wherein selected ones of said plug means serve to connect said first one of said pins to said third one of said pins, whereby closure of any switch means out of the proper sequence will energize said alarm signal means.

3. The lock system of claim 2, wherein one of said plug means comprises an output plug which provides an unlocking voltage upon closure of the proper sequence of switch means.

4. The lock system of claim 3, wherein one of said plug means comprises an input plug which connects the first pin of its corresponding socket means to the second pin thereof to provide an operating voltage for said relay coil means and for the relay coils of succeeding stages of said system in sequence.

5. The 'lock system of claim 4, wherein the remainder of said plug means connect said second pins and said fourth pins together, whereby upon operation of said switch means in proper sequence said operating voltage is passed from one stage to another without activating said alarm signal means.

6. The lock system of claim 5, further including an alarm circuit and reset switch means responsive to said alarm signal means to reset all of said relay coils to their de-energized condition and to activate said a'larm circuit.

7. The lock system of claim 6, wherein said reset switch means is comprised of a solenoid and a movable armature, the motion of said armature disconnecting the source of voltage connected to said first pin of each of said combination-selecting stages and triggering said alarm circuit.

8. The lock system of claim 7, wherein said armature is biased against the force of said solenoid, whereby the motion of said armature de-energizes said solenoid to permit the armature to return to its original position and reconnects said source of voltage.

9. The lock system of claim 8, further including hold means for said alarm circuit to keep said alarm circuit activated after said armature returns to its original position. I

10. The lock system of claim 6, further including thermo-responsive switch means connected to one of said combination-selecting stages to energize said alarm signal means upon closure of said thermo-responsive switch means.

11. The lock system of claim 6, further including burglar alarm trip switch means connected to one of said combination-selecting stages to energize said alarm signal means upon closure of said trip switch means.

12. The lock system of claim 6, further including at least one solenoid-operated lock means having lock and unlock solenoids, said unlock solenoid being momentarily responsive to said lock means in one direction, and locking switch means for energizing said lock solenoid to move said lock means in the opposite direction to its point of automatic cut off.

13. The lock system of claim 12, wherein the motion of said lock means to its unlock position disconnects the source of voltage connected to said first pin of each of said combination-selecting stages and motion of said lock means to its lock position reconnects said source of voltage.

14. The lock system of claim 12, further including timing means operable to override and squelch the unlocking function of said combination-selecting stages whereby said lock and unlock solenoids are momentarily energized at preselected times.

15. The lock system of claim 14, further including indicator means for providing a visual indicaton of system status.

16. The lock system of claim 15, wherein said switch means connected in series with said relay coil means are located at a place remote from the rest of said system.

17. The lock system of claim 16 wherein at least one combination relay is switched by means of voltage magnitude whereby said voltage is obtained through switching a resistor or momentarily increasing the power line voltage and whereby the above constitutes a voltage sensitive (short duration pulse) trip circuit that will respond so as to trigger an alarm relay and thereby provide a means of receiving a signal transmitted by electric power companes, and whereby in addition said relay simultaneously functions as a combination screening relay.

18. The lock system of claim 16 further including ganged inside disabling switch means, one set of contacts connected in series with said combination-selecting stages, thus providing disablement means of all accessible outside unlocking controls; and another set of contacts connected in series with said outside locking switch means, thus eliminating risk of an occupant inadvertently locking himself out through use of said disabling switch means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,433,543 10/1922 Garrison. 1,449,248 3/ 1923 Rathbun. 2,436,809 3/1948 Joel 70-278 2,677,814 5/1954 Miller 340276 X 3,024,452 3/ 1962 Leonard 340-274 JOHN W. CALDWELL, Primary Examiner.

D. L. TRAFTON, Assistant Examiner. 

